J.D. Martinez wasn’t good enough to make the Astros out of spring training.

An injury to Fernando Martinez and subsequent poor production created an opening, though, and an outfielder who started in 2012 for the Astros is beginning to show signs he can stick in 2013.

J.D. Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer Wednesday in the Astros’ 3-1 victory against Kansas City at Minute Maid Park. A solid run during a recent road series against Detroit got Martinez started. The 25-year-old left fielder is batting .345 (10-for-29) during his last nine games with three homers, four doubles and seven RBIs.

“He’s really seeing the ball well, and he’s a guy that definitely has a chance to be a run producer in this league,” Astros manager Bo Porter said.

Martinez led the Astros with 55 RBIs last season. But he failed to assert himself during spring training and was a late cut, with the club opting for veteran Rick Ankiel and Fernando Martinez.

The former was waived, while the latter is with Class AAA Oklahoma City. As a result, J.D. Martinez has joined center fielder Robbie Grossman and right fielder Jimmy Paredes as young outfielders receiving extended evaluations early in the 2013 season.

Martinez is hitting .250 overall with four home runs, 14 RBIs and a .711 OPS in 28 games (88 at-bats).

“He’s taken the bull by the horns with this opportunity, and he’s been swinging the bat well,” Porter said.

Altuve endures small slump

Jose Altuve returned to action Saturday by going 3-for-5 with an RBI in his first game since being place on the bereavement list. But he Astros’ All-Star second baseman is 0-for-15 during his last four contests.

It’s the longest Altuve has gone all season without a hit and represents his first mini-slump of 2013. The 23-year-old’s batting average has fallen to .312. But he’s still tied for 12th in the American League in hits (54).